Anonymous wrote:I think a question is why do you feel that way? Are you disappointed that your child is not on the A team because the B team in that club is is not given as many resources, or is it more due to ego? My DC was on the B team of highly competitive club, and it didn't bother them (or me) that they were on the B team. What bothered them was seeing the A team, who paid the exact same amount of money, get better practice fields, better coaching, and in general, better treatment overall. DC moved to the A team of a slightly lower ranked club and was much happier and felt more valued.

Same experience here. It was still better than 2nd team at first club and he got to play in State Cup and better tournaments/league/divisions, etc since it was a first team.

Anonymous wrote:My son was a bench player on first team. He barely got playing time. I requested he be moved to second team but coach refused.you know how much it sucks to travel to a tournament and your kids only plays 5 min. Had to move to another club where my son happily starts and plays the full time for second team. Be careful what you wish for.

This!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC's skills actually decreased as a bench player on the A team due to lack of playing time. Many of those on the B team went on to play at a much higher level.

This is very common.

It’s a confidence thing too. Being a star on the 2nd team vs a bench sitter on a first team builds confidence and the player will take chances. Bench players are terrified to make a mistake.

I found the culture to win at all costs on first teams at younger ages at big clubs hindered individual development. Fortunately, I’m very seasoned in the sport with a dad that coached travel for two decades and I didn’t care about the color stuff young with the kids. I looked at who the coach was, what the training was like and if my kid was happy with teammates. There were times the 2nd team was the right choice because we are late growers.

What a difference I see with my kid who is now a Freshmen in HS. This approach made him a much better player than friends that stayed on first team at all costs/same club since age 8.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always be playing. Take the slot on the B team - development comes with more game minutes, not sitting on a bench.

Curious how common it is in this area to not make a high school team after being on travel growing up as a kid. I have young kids so that just seems unreal.

Depends the travel soccer in this are is so over saturated. There are plenty of kids who are in travel that just suck but the continue to play because the club wants the money.

Depends on the HS. Ours is huge and still has only one JV and one Varsity team. The coaches are from the Club so only pick Club players they know.

My kid left for private at a school with ECNL, DA (former) recruited players and was soon starting and playing the whole game. I doubt the public HS team would have even put him in consideration. Selections are made prior—just like the clubs that feed to them. He has played on first teams at smaller clubs and at times 2nd team of big clubs. Whatever was needed for development and to get through his slow growth years. By 15 he was not one of the smaller kids anymore, was on the bigger side.

Anonymous wrote:My DC's skills actually decreased as a bench player on the A team due to lack of playing time. Many of those on the B team went on to play at a much higher level.

This is very common.

It’s a confidence thing too. Being a star on the 2nd team vs a bench sitter on a first team builds confidence and the player will take chances. Bench players are terrified to make a mistake.

How many times have you seen an A team player demoted to B team and stay with the club ?

Anonymous wrote:Always be playing. Take the slot on the B team - development comes with more game minutes, not sitting on a bench.

Curious how common it is in this area to not make a high school team after being on travel growing up as a kid. I have young kids so that just seems unreal.

Depends the travel soccer in this are is so over saturated. There are plenty of kids who are in travel that just suck but the continue to play because the club wants the money.

Anonymous wrote:Always be playing. Take the slot on the B team - development comes with more game minutes, not sitting on a bench.

Curious how common it is in this area to not make a high school team after being on travel growing up as a kid. I have young kids so that just seems unreal.

Crazy amount of talent in this area and number of travel teams from U16-U19 far exceeds number of high schools that have combined U16-U19 rosters. My kids play travel but I have no expectation they will be able to play for their HS.

I think a question is why do you feel that way? Are you disappointed that your child is not on the A team because the B team in that club is is not given as many resources, or is it more due to ego? My DC was on the B team of highly competitive club, and it didn't bother them (or me) that they were on the B team. What bothered them was seeing the A team, who paid the exact same amount of money, get better practice fields, better coaching, and in general, better treatment overall. DC moved to the A team of a slightly lower ranked club and was much happier and felt more valued.

Always be playing. Take the slot on the B team - development comes with more game minutes, not sitting on a bench.

Curious how common it is in this area to not make a high school team after being on travel growing up as a kid. I have young kids so that just seems unreal.

DC switched clubs and went from first team to second team. Was hesitant at first but it has made for a much better experience. Wish it had happened sooner

I’m in the same boat. My kid doesn’t want to move to the lower team even though the coach is much better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And I can't help but root against the first team.

Mine was on the "B" team. Did not make her high school team. Other coaches from other high schools recruited her she didn't want to change schools. Fine by us. Stayed on her travel team. Walk on Divison 1 college. LOL

Since she did not make her HS team she decided to run Cross Country in HS went to States as a 9th grader, then every year after that. Placed every year. Loved running, still does to this day. Done with Grad school now. The best thing ever happened to her not making her HS team. LOL.

Thanks for sharing this. My younger DD loves athletics generally, soccer especially and I’ve had trouble convincing her that she does not need to limit herself to one sport. She’s just started track and I hope she sticks with it!

Good for your daughter.

Anonymous wrote:My DC's skills actually decreased as a bench player on the A team due to lack of playing time. Many of those on the B team went on to play at a much higher level.

Exactly. This is a hard reality that generally parents deal with due to pride. From my experience most kids ( not the elite) want to play on a team with their friends or where they feel comfortable. I’ve seen parents force their kids into taking a spot on a team where they play 3-5 minutes — at u13.

It’s better to take a development year and play at a lower level and focus on development via private training or sometimes you can as the first team coach if the player can practice only with the first team

My DC's skills actually decreased as a bench player on the A team due to lack of playing time. Many of those on the B team went on to play at a much higher level.